Day 50 of Your year to Wellness; Time to Move

The Time to Move

When we first started out on this journey, I told you that wellness is not just about the body; it is the realignment of the spirit mind and body.

It is proclaimed in 1Timothy in the Bible that bodily exercise profits little, but that Godliness is profitable in all things. Godliness, or Holiness, which comes from the word Hal, means health, happiness and wholeness.

I grew up in a Pentecostal church. The members of the church didn’t put a lot of faith in exercise. They took a great deal of pride in the fact that we did not dance, bowl, swim or do anything that required moving the body in a “sinful” manner. (I know, I’m laughing with you.) But if we are to be whole and complete, we must recognize the harmony between the spirit, mind and body.

When we realize that we do not have a soul; that instead we are a soul living in a body, we can see the reason not to put too much emphasis on the body alone. However, our body is the temple in which we dwell and we must maintain it with proper exercise.

The real question is what is proper. I will tell you right now that I have engaged in practically every form of exercise. In fact, when I was in graduate school, I was a gym rat and hung out with body builders and power lifters (another story for another time.)

We have all bought those exercise programs that show the amazing before and after pictures of fat folks turned fit. Those DVDs are now most likely somewhere in the back of a closet where you don’t ever have to see them again.

When I talk about exercise, I'm talking about healthy movement. Throughout my wellness program I’ve learned that too much exercise really does profit little, but the right amount adds life.

Let’s get to it, here’s what you need to know.

·         You gotta move. Sitting does more damage to the body than french fries. Every joint was designed for movement. When we fail to do move we are doing damage to the body. Roll your ankles and wrist. Move your waist even when you sit. You must move.

·         What do you like? When finding an exercise pick something you enjoy. If you don’t you won’t want to do it regularly.

·         Good exercise is like anything that’s good; do it to hard or too long and it’s no longer good.

·         Gradually work up to your potential. The problem with most exercise programs is that they assume that the participant is already fit. Start at home with something you enjoy.

·         You are your own gym. Become familiar with the equipment and use it regularly.

Your body is your temple and you have to move it to maintain it.

Be you, be well, be moving.

Bertice Berry, PhD

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